In a significant escalation of economic measures against Russia, the Biden administration announced on January 10, 2025, what is described as the most severe sanctions yet on Russia’s oil and gas industry. As President Joe Biden’s term winds down, these sanctions target two of Russia’s largest oil companies, Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, alongside a vast network of nearly 200 tankers involved in the “shadow fleet,” which Russia has employed to bypass Western sanctions. The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. strategy to starve Russia’s war machine of funds, directly impacting Moscow’s ability to finance its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. By targeting key players in Russia’s energy sector, the U.S. aims to disrupt the flow of oil revenue, which constitutes a significant portion of Russia’s budget and its capacity to sustain military operations.
Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas together account for a substantial share of Russia’s oil production, making their inclusion in the sanctions list particularly impactful. The measures also extend to a broad swath of Russia’s energy business, including oilfield services, traders, and intermediaries, effectively aiming to “hit every stage of the Russian oil production and distribution chain,” according to U.S. officials. The “shadow fleet” of tankers, often aging vessels with obscured ownership, has been a critical means for Russia to continue exporting oil, especially to markets like India and China, despite Western sanctions. By sanctioning these ships, the U.S. seeks to make it more difficult for Russia to find alternative shipping methods, potentially forcing Moscow to sell oil at lower prices or face logistical challenges.
These sanctions come at a time when U.S.-Russia relations are at a low, with the invasion of Ukraine continuing to be a flashpoint. The move is also seen as an attempt to provide the incoming Trump administration with leverage in any future negotiations with Russia over peace in Ukraine. However, the effectiveness of these sanctions in altering Russian behavior remains to be seen, especially with the transition to a new U.S. administration on the horizon. The U.S. actions have been coordinated with the United Kingdom, which has also imposed sanctions on the two Russian oil giants mentioned, signaling a united front among Western allies. The immediate impact of these sanctions was reflected in the Moscow Stock Exchange, where shares of the affected companies saw significant declines.
This development in U.S. foreign policy underscores a final push by the Biden administration to influence the geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, by leveraging economic sanctions as a tool of diplomacy and coercion. The sanctions’ full impact on global oil markets, Russia’s economy, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine will unfold in the coming months, amidst a backdrop of international scrutiny and potential shifts in U.S. policy under new leadership.